Zinc deficiency and anxiety disorders, what is the correlation? Anxiety can have many causes, some of which are environmental. It is a condition that needs a synergistic approach for patient healing. In our practice, we encourage patients to treat their condition with Advanced Nutrient Therapy, cognitive therapy, as well as diet for the best results. While there are many possible biochemical causes for anxiety disorders, this month we are going to highlight how zinc deficiency contributes to general anxiety disorders or GAD.
Zinc Deficiency and Anxiety Disorders:
Many patients misunderstand the role zinc plays in mental health disorders. There is a connection between zinc deficiency and anxiety disorders. We need zinc to make neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter imbalance can cause symptoms of anxiety. We need to have a proper balance of serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and dopamine. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and libido. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone. It is released from the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress. GABA, also called Gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that inhibits or reduces the activities of neurons or nerve cells. Low levels of GABA are linked to anxiety. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in your brain that affects your emotions, your movements, and your sensations of pleasure and pain.
What is Zinc?
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that aids in cell development and gene expression. It is responsible for several different functions in the human body and helps stimulate the activity of 100 different enzymes.
Animal-based foods like beef, lamb, oysters, and scallops are high in zinc. Plant-based foods like pumpkin seeds and garlic are also good sources of zinc. Many people think that if they just add these foods to their diet they should improve. But many don’t understand that foods like pumpkin seeds and shellfish are also high in copper. Many people believe the zinc will cancel out the copper, but it doesn’t actually work that way. When patients embark on a nutrient protocol they open up detox pathways.
In many cases, we recommend nutritional coaching in addition to nutrient therapy for patients because the right kind of diet for your biotype will work in synergy with your nutrient protocol.
The global prevalence of zinc deficiency is at 31%, according to the World Health Organization. It’s more common in developing countries, but we see a high incidence among our patient population.
Signs of a Zinc Deficiency
Common clinical symptoms of zinc deficiency are:
- short stature
- immune dysfunction
- hypogonadism
- skin disorders
- cognitive impairments
- anorexia
Adequate intake of dietary zinc does not always equal adequate absorption. Many factors come into play that can inhibit the proper absorption of dietary zinc. Zinc deficiency can be the result of either inadequate intake or inadequate absorption. In some cases, digestive conditions also contribute to zinc deficiency. If you are eating various foods that are high in phytates like a variety of nuts, grains, legumes, and seeds, you may be hindering your zinc absorption. We also look at the possibility of an underlying digestive issue or genetic predisposition like pyrrole disorder when we test and treat our patients for zinc deficiency and anxiety disorders through our clinic.
Anxiety in Children
In our practice, in addition to zinc deficiency, we often see yeast issues and gut issues in our pediatric patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Parents need to be aware that ‘just taking zinc’ is not an answer to their child’s anxiety disorder. This condition has many causes and needs a full panel of diagnostic testing. In our practice, we look at possible biochemical imbalances as a starting point in our treatment of general anxiety disorders. We also recognize situational anxiety stimuli that can adversely affect our patients, both adult and pediatric. In most cases of anxiety, we recommend patients seek cognitive therapy to help them assess their personal beliefs and to establish healthy thought patterns.